things you didn’t say at all for nuts and dolts maybe uwu
5: things you didn’t say at all
From this list of prompts
set between the end of Volume 7 and the start of 8
“Penny? Are you okay? You haven’t stopped pacing since…”
Penny turned to look at Ruby, her eyes furrowed and her hands wringing in front of her. All the same, she nodded and forced a smile.
“I’m ready to go. We have to do what we can to protect Mantle.”
They were laying low for now with the Happy Huntresses, trying to plan their next move when it seemed like every option was wrong.
“That’s not what I mean,” Ruby said. She stepped over to Penny and put a hand on her shoulder.
Penny looked away from her. “I don’t think I am okay,” she admitted softly. “This is all so much. Ironwood, Winter, Salem… and now I’m the Winter Maiden? I didn’t even consider that such a thing was possible.”
“Of course it’s possible. You’re a real girl, remember?” Ruby insisted, and Penny smiled slightly. “Doesn’t mean it’s not unexpected, though.”
“It’s a lot of pressure. Especially now.”
“Yeah…” Ruby took a deep breath and moved her hand so that she gently held onto Penny’s clenched fist. “We had enough on our plate before Salem decided to show up, and now? But that’s not all on you, Penny, we’re going to figure out what to do. None of this is your fault. We’re a team!”
Penny lowered her gaze again. “It’s hard not to feel responsible. I’m supposed to be The Protector of Mantle, after all.”
“And you are. You’ve protected it dozens upon dozens of times. And, whatever we do next, even if you’re not fighting in the streets of Mantle, you’ll still be working to save it. We’re not going to abandon the city.”
“Good.” Penny met Ruby’s gaze and gave a nod.
Her eyes were still filled with fear, however, and Ruby lunged forward to pull her into an embrace. Penny instantly relaxed into the gesture and sunk down to bury her face in the crook of Ruby’s neck, letting out a few tears as she did so. They squeezed each other tight, a silent promise that they would handle whatever came next, and that Penny would never be alone in this fight.
No matter what came, what Salem or Ironwood threw at them, they would face it together.
